What 4wd for work
Discussion
Thinking of buying a 4x4 for work....
Don't think it will be used too much as will keep the van so can use that when needed.
Thinking of either a terrano (2.7 as that seems the more reliable) and possibly considering the SWB van model.
Or, been looking at Pajero's, again SWB but would have to be the 4 seat version as can't see any vans of that age. For the money I'm looking to spend (2 to 3k) it would be a 03-04 plate Terrano or a M/N isn plate Pajero.
Disadvantage of the Pajero is that they are mostly auto and that would drink even more fuel. They would be older too.... would that cause any issues?
What are the terrano's and pajero's generally like?
Don't think it will be used too much as will keep the van so can use that when needed.
Thinking of either a terrano (2.7 as that seems the more reliable) and possibly considering the SWB van model.
Or, been looking at Pajero's, again SWB but would have to be the 4 seat version as can't see any vans of that age. For the money I'm looking to spend (2 to 3k) it would be a 03-04 plate Terrano or a M/N isn plate Pajero.
Disadvantage of the Pajero is that they are mostly auto and that would drink even more fuel. They would be older too.... would that cause any issues?
What are the terrano's and pajero's generally like?
Edited by Tomo1971 on Saturday 15th March 10:18
Pajeros don't have a good reputation on this side of the world, Terranos are good but avoid the ZD30 3.0 motor which is a bit of a hand grenade, and some of the early (1st-gen) ones had issues with the floor under the rear seats rusting. 2.7 and 3.2 lumps are relatively bulletproof.
Edited by GravelBen on Monday 17th March 10:44
agent006 said:
What is work? Are you on road, or towing or serious offroad?
Work on the mobile phone towers, or at least the kit at the bottom of them.Quite often tend to up tracks/hills that a normal van aint got the clearance for.
Previously had a Freelander Van (04 Vintage) that was probably the best suited vehicle but I paid £7k for that with very low miles....another one in my price range would be 100k plus. I realise that a Paj or a Terrano would be 100k+ as well, but think that as bigger engines will be more reliable than the FL at that miles.
abbotsmike said:
Looked at disco commercials? Might be a bit above what you want to spend, but some do go quite cheaply.
Its the reliability that kinda puts me off. I know I had little trouble with the Freelander but that was bought as a low miler with good SH. I was to the understanding that the Nissan and Mitsi would be more reliable?
Tomo1971 said:
Its the reliability that kinda puts me off. I know I had little trouble with the Freelander but that was bought as a low miler with good SH.
I was to the understanding that the Nissan and Mitsi would be more reliable?
I'm not sure. Not owned any of them, only know people that do and driven a few. The disco owner I know is a scout leader, bought his L reg discovery td5 new, and still has it 140,000 miles later. It's had some rust issues, and minor mechanicals, but never anything major. I was to the understanding that the Nissan and Mitsi would be more reliable?
The other one is an S-reg defender now on 160,000 miles, again bought new. It's been abused as a venture scout transporter and trailer tower for 15 years and has generally been reliable. It did admittedly have a new engine a couple of years back, that was caused by a collapsed coolant hose that subsequently overheated the engine terminally.
MangledMetal said:
He wouldn't have had a no reg td5, they didn't make em, it was a 200 or an early 300 tdi. Totally unrefined to drive, but mostly bomb proof motors.
Heh, could have sworn it says Td5 on the back (and he's not the sort to change these things!) I'll wager it's a 300tdi, as it isn't biblically slow, and to me doesn't seem to unrefined!Why not get another Freelander then?
A mate uses a 52 plate td4 5 door ES as his work car, he works for the Forestry Commission.
He gets the usual business mileage rates and has worked out what the Freeby costs per year, it gives him a slush fund to cover repairs, tyres, services etc. Plus he has given it a 2 inch lift kit to help ground clearance.
It's cheap, does mid 30s, gives good comfort on his commute, plus he doesn't mind if it gets scratched or dented etc. He runs it and after covering all the above, he has enough cash spare from the mileage rates to cover a new holiday for the family each year.
Could be worth a go?
A mate uses a 52 plate td4 5 door ES as his work car, he works for the Forestry Commission.
He gets the usual business mileage rates and has worked out what the Freeby costs per year, it gives him a slush fund to cover repairs, tyres, services etc. Plus he has given it a 2 inch lift kit to help ground clearance.
It's cheap, does mid 30s, gives good comfort on his commute, plus he doesn't mind if it gets scratched or dented etc. He runs it and after covering all the above, he has enough cash spare from the mileage rates to cover a new holiday for the family each year.
Could be worth a go?
A.J.M said:
Why not get another Freelander then?
A mate uses a 52 plate td4 5 door ES as his work car, he works for the Forestry Commission.
He gets the usual business mileage rates and has worked out what the Freeby costs per year, it gives him a slush fund to cover repairs, tyres, services etc. Plus he has given it a 2 inch lift kit to help ground clearance.
It's cheap, does mid 30s, gives good comfort on his commute, plus he doesn't mind if it gets scratched or dented etc. He runs it and after covering all the above, he has enough cash spare from the mileage rates to cover a new holiday for the family each year.
Could be worth a go?
I know... I know... Again, think I was very lucky with the FL I had.... mate bought one same time as me, and cost him thousands in repairs.A mate uses a 52 plate td4 5 door ES as his work car, he works for the Forestry Commission.
He gets the usual business mileage rates and has worked out what the Freeby costs per year, it gives him a slush fund to cover repairs, tyres, services etc. Plus he has given it a 2 inch lift kit to help ground clearance.
It's cheap, does mid 30s, gives good comfort on his commute, plus he doesn't mind if it gets scratched or dented etc. He runs it and after covering all the above, he has enough cash spare from the mileage rates to cover a new holiday for the family each year.
Could be worth a go?
And, think id like the added low range that a terrano or Pajero has. Was hoping that they would likely be more reliable than a freelander or Disco
Shogun 4works are too new and too expensive.
I've had both a 2.7 swb terrano on a x reg and a lpg 3.5 petrol pajero on an m plate.
Both had good points and bad points, out of the two I enjoyed the terrano morer as is was newer and less abused before I got it.
Pajero was much better on on the motorway, the terrano (to me) just did not feel happy above 60 mph.
Terrano better on B roads etc, - surprising how much could throw it around, but if do that tends to eat the anti roll bar rubbers
Terrano was much simpler mechanically than the pajero, ie the simpler 4wd system, no vacuum lines to perish / be slow etc to engage / disengage, no mitsubishi Super select 4wd going funny. Terrano simple electronic locking wheel hubs and move 2nd gear lever. So less to go wrong and less money if it ever went wrong and it didn't, the pajero had an occasional electronic gremlins - mostly caused by water ingress. (off road abuse - same situation terano fine !)
Pajero could drive it on tarmac in 4wd and be fine, Terrano if drove it in 4wd on the tarmac it would wind the transmission up which is bad.
Both has rear lsd, pajero had lsd and centre locking diff. Off road wise, V close - once had the terrano stuck - but got it eventually out, but probably more extreme situation. Centre locking diff helped the pajero as it was heavier.
Mpg wise terrano will be better I got around 28ish overall, pajero 20 ish - ok comparing a diesel to petrol, but and equivalent 2.5 or 2.8 diesel would be 23 ish. pajero V bad on fuel.
Of the 2 for your budget I would not hesitate wrth a terrano either a swb or a lwb one.
Or could consider either a Kia Sorento or a Suzuki grand vitara
Both had good points and bad points, out of the two I enjoyed the terrano morer as is was newer and less abused before I got it.
Pajero was much better on on the motorway, the terrano (to me) just did not feel happy above 60 mph.
Terrano better on B roads etc, - surprising how much could throw it around, but if do that tends to eat the anti roll bar rubbers
Terrano was much simpler mechanically than the pajero, ie the simpler 4wd system, no vacuum lines to perish / be slow etc to engage / disengage, no mitsubishi Super select 4wd going funny. Terrano simple electronic locking wheel hubs and move 2nd gear lever. So less to go wrong and less money if it ever went wrong and it didn't, the pajero had an occasional electronic gremlins - mostly caused by water ingress. (off road abuse - same situation terano fine !)
Pajero could drive it on tarmac in 4wd and be fine, Terrano if drove it in 4wd on the tarmac it would wind the transmission up which is bad.
Both has rear lsd, pajero had lsd and centre locking diff. Off road wise, V close - once had the terrano stuck - but got it eventually out, but probably more extreme situation. Centre locking diff helped the pajero as it was heavier.
Mpg wise terrano will be better I got around 28ish overall, pajero 20 ish - ok comparing a diesel to petrol, but and equivalent 2.5 or 2.8 diesel would be 23 ish. pajero V bad on fuel.
Of the 2 for your budget I would not hesitate wrth a terrano either a swb or a lwb one.
Or could consider either a Kia Sorento or a Suzuki grand vitara
Edited by richs2891 on Friday 21st March 20:36
richs2891 said:
I've had both a 2.7 swb terrano on a x reg and a lpg 3.5 petrol pajero on an m plate.
Both had good points and bad points, out of the two I enjoyed the terrano morer as is was newer and less abused before I got it.
Pajero was much better on on the motorway, the terrano (to me) just did not feel happy above 60 mph.
Terrano better on B roads etc, - surprising how much could throw it around, but if do that tends to eat the anti roll bar rubbers
Terrano was much simpler mechanically than the pajero, ie the simpler 4wd system, no vacuum lines to perish / be slow etc to engage / disengage, no mitsubishi Super select 4wd going funny. Terrano simple electronic locking wheel hubs and move 2nd gear lever. So less to go wrong and less money if it ever went wrong and it didn't, the pajero had an occasional electronic gremlins - mostly caused by water ingress. (off road abuse - same situation terano fine !)
Pajero could drive it on tarmac in 4wd and be fine, Terrano if drove it in 4wd on the tarmac it would wind the transmission up which is bad.
Both has rear lsd, pajero had lsd and centre locking diff. Off road wise, V close - once had the terrano stuck - but got it eventually out, but probably more extreme situation. Centre locking diff helped the pajero as it was heavier.
Mpg wise terrano will be better I got around 28ish overall, pajero 20 ish - ok comparing a diesel to petrol, but and equivalent 2.5 or 2.8 diesel would be 23 ish. pajero V bad on fuel.
Of the 2 for your budget I would not hesitate wrth a terrano either a swb or a lwb one.
Or could consider either a Kia Sorento or a Suzuki grand vitara
Thats very very useful, thanks!!Both had good points and bad points, out of the two I enjoyed the terrano morer as is was newer and less abused before I got it.
Pajero was much better on on the motorway, the terrano (to me) just did not feel happy above 60 mph.
Terrano better on B roads etc, - surprising how much could throw it around, but if do that tends to eat the anti roll bar rubbers
Terrano was much simpler mechanically than the pajero, ie the simpler 4wd system, no vacuum lines to perish / be slow etc to engage / disengage, no mitsubishi Super select 4wd going funny. Terrano simple electronic locking wheel hubs and move 2nd gear lever. So less to go wrong and less money if it ever went wrong and it didn't, the pajero had an occasional electronic gremlins - mostly caused by water ingress. (off road abuse - same situation terano fine !)
Pajero could drive it on tarmac in 4wd and be fine, Terrano if drove it in 4wd on the tarmac it would wind the transmission up which is bad.
Both has rear lsd, pajero had lsd and centre locking diff. Off road wise, V close - once had the terrano stuck - but got it eventually out, but probably more extreme situation. Centre locking diff helped the pajero as it was heavier.
Mpg wise terrano will be better I got around 28ish overall, pajero 20 ish - ok comparing a diesel to petrol, but and equivalent 2.5 or 2.8 diesel would be 23 ish. pajero V bad on fuel.
Of the 2 for your budget I would not hesitate wrth a terrano either a swb or a lwb one.
Or could consider either a Kia Sorento or a Suzuki grand vitara
Edited by richs2891 on Friday 21st March 20:36
richs2891 said:
Pajero could drive it on tarmac in 4wd and be fine, Terrano if drove it in 4wd on the tarmac it would wind the transmission up which is bad.
Both has rear lsd, pajero had lsd and centre locking diff. Off road wise, V close - once had the terrano stuck - but got it eventually out, but probably more extreme situation. Centre locking diff helped the pajero as it was heavier.
The Terrano is fully locked centre diff when in 4wd - thats why it winds up if you try and drive it on tarmac in 4wd.Both has rear lsd, pajero had lsd and centre locking diff. Off road wise, V close - once had the terrano stuck - but got it eventually out, but probably more extreme situation. Centre locking diff helped the pajero as it was heavier.
Some Terranos did have a more multi-function system with 2wd/4wd open/4wd lock/low range, but it depends which model.
Im familiar isn with the differing types of 4wd, I've owned/drove a few before and can see the benefits in the Pajero as you can drive in 4wd on the road if you want.
Realise that the Terrano would only be in 4wd when the ground would be slippy enough to allow slippage so the transmission doesn't get wound up.
Realise that the Terrano would only be in 4wd when the ground would be slippy enough to allow slippage so the transmission doesn't get wound up.
richyb said:
Not considering a pickup? I've got a '07 ranger on mud terrains and its a great workhorse. I operate in woodlands and regularly tow a 1.3t chipper or 1.5t excavator. You could get a slightly older one for your price range.
Im widening my search I guess.... I did look at an 03 (i think) a few days ago, was dog rough though.A Shogun SWB 3.2 on a 52 plate has come up locally, 116k, Equippe model, looks to be in good nick.... £2995. Will go an look at that over the weekend I think.
A 4wd van would be better as would purchase/fund it through my business, if I bought the car version (i.e. the Shogun I'm looking at) I would have to do it as a personal buy. But, on the other hand, at least has the extra seats in for the kids if needed later
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